Scotland or Wales?

[Black Dog]

I've lived in both Snowdonia [North Wales] and the West Coast of Scotland-you won't be disappointed by either.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Go to Scotland. The signs are easier to read there than they are in Wales…

 

[blockend]

One of the most photogenic historical locations is Northumbria, just south of Scotland on the East coast of Britain. Brooding castles, dramatic coastline including Lindisfarne (Holy Island) and the Farne Islands. http://www.visitnorthumberland.com/history-heritage/castles
The English-Scottish borders have numerous battle sites if history is your thing.

 

[Sirius Glass]

The isle of Skye with the three lochs coming together, the castle and the country side is well work the trip.

 

[KenS]

I would prefer visiting the Hebrides and Orkney islands.

Take a look at some of Tillman Crane's photographs.

Ken

 

[RobC]

When I was in the UK in 2002, it seemed like every exit off the highway had castle ruins. My favorite was Tintern Abbey in Wales, but there were cool ruins in Scotland, too. I don't remember the name of it, but there was one somewhere between York and Edinburgh. I don't know if it was Craigmillar, but that name seems familiar (I did some googling). If I can find a photo, I'll post it.

Between York and Edinurgh you are in Northumberland which has the most castles of any county I believe. (they had to fend off the men in skirts from North of border back in the day. They may still be doing it for all I know.) You're spoilt for choice up there..
And in Northumberland you have Hadrians Wall which is in spectacular countryside. It's a defensive wall spanning from east to west coast built by the Romans to fend off the Scots. Roman villa remains all along its length and combined with castles and stunning coastline its definitely worth considering. Bamburgh Castle on the beach is fantastic too. One of the least populated counties in England.

But yes it comes down to how much time you want to spend driving. And the Lake district is beautiful and congested with traffic from spring to autumn due to tiny narrow little roads.

If you don't want to drive so much then consider the Cotswolds too. Much nearer to London. You have Bath at its SW end with stunning Georgian Architecture, Castle Combe not far from there, one of Englands prettiest mediaeval villages and just nearby there is Lacock Abbey the home of Fox Talbot for some photographic history.
Driving NW through the Cotswolds hills you have pretty villages and little towns all the way. Plenty of country houses to visit. Oxford just South of the NW end of Cotswolds with all its College Architecture. No mountains though, just hills.

 

[frank]

Thank you all for this info!

Pictures?

 

[BrianShaw]

Go take your own.

 

[frank]

Go take your own.

But mine are so often disappointing.

 

[skysh4rk]

My vote is for Scotland, not that I'm biased.

Unfortunately, I don't think that my photos really do the place justice:

 

[winger]

I could go back to either (well, really both) and for much longer. I realized while digging out these slides that I shot way too little film on that trip. In my head, I had lots more of Craigmillar. From L to R - Tintern Abbey, Hadrian's Wall, Craigmillar Castle near Edinburgh. I wish I could have had much better light the whole time, but I wasn't in charge of when we went to different places.

 

[RobC]

Thank you all for this info!

Pictures?

There's a thing called Bing Images. try putting a few place names in there.

 

[frank]

Thanks! Weird I hadn't thought of that.

 

[RobC]

The Cotswolds became very wealthy area based on the wool trade from way back as far as the 12th Century. Many of the houses were built on the profits of that trade through the middle ages. Many small towns and villages have what are called Wool Churches built with that money and really very grand for such small places. There is also Gloucestershire Cathedral which is highly photogenic with its cloisters. Country houses open to public abound.

A word of caution, National Trust properties have restrictions on photography. If you arrive toting a tripod and large format camera you'll likely encounter some resistance to you using it and/or will be asked to pay for the priviledge. Outside you may get away with it but indoors definitely not.

Also

England and Wales have designated "Areas of Outstanding Beauty" ( AONB ) . I would suggest you pick one of these areas and stick to that or a couple if they are close together if you want to minimise driving.
There is a site Dead Link Removed which at this minute is not up but maybe just down for maintenance. Do your research on some of those areas. I guess Scotland has something similar.
The Cotswolds is the biggest of the AONBs and has plenty to keep you busy for a week, especially if you throw in Bath and Oxford which would a day each at a minimum.

You might also want to look at Dead Link Removed (not my favourite organisation) whos goal it is to monetize anything they get their mits on without any regard of whether they are destroying what it has always been.

 

[RobC]

Oh and how could I forget. If you go to or via Northumberland then Lindisfarne ( Holy Island ) is a must visit location. Its really off the beaten track but is truly photogenic with its ruined priory and Castle all set against the freezing North Sea. One of the most iconic sites in Britain to visit but not at all overcrowded due to its location.
And on the way up North drop in at Durham Cathedral which is pretty special too.

You want pics then here's one from Lindisfarne:

 

[Peltigera]

Lindesfarne might not be overcrowded but if people keep on recommending it, it soon will be!

 

[RobC]

Lindesfarne might not be overcrowded but if people keep on recommending it, it soon will be!

I doubt it, its just not near anywhere. You go there only because that's the place you want to go and its miles from aywhere else except the coastal sites up there. Alnwick which is nice with a castle, Alnmouth and Bamburgh.

Anyhow I found the following which list all the AONBs and is working:

http://www.landscapesforlife.org.uk/

Check them out and there are some in Wales. Nothing for Scotland though. Each area has its own website.

 

[ronnies]

Check them out and there are some in Wales. Nothing for Scotland though. Each area has its own website.

Is that because Scotland IS an AONB without it having to be designated?

Ronnie

 

[cowanw]

Last night, Walking through history was on channel 2 in Niagara are, and Tony Robinson was walking through Northumbria. I did that 40 years ago. Melrose abbey to Lindisfarne.
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/walking-through-history

 

[RobC]

Is that because Scotland IS an AONB without it having to be designated?

Ronnie

No, it's because Iron Bru isn't considered to be culturally significant enough.

 

[BrianShaw]

...
A word of caution, National Trust properties have restrictions on photography. If you arrive toting a tripod and large format camera you'll likely encounter some resistance to you using it and/or will be asked to pay for the priviledge. Outside you may get away with it but indoors definitely not.
...

That is a very good point. I had that problem but it went away (for the most part) when using handheld LF or MF with a monopod. They still seem to want to "shake down" whoever they think may be a professional photographer... and those who they think as "too good" equipment. I'm sympathetic because I know how expensive it must be to maintain historic sites but sometimes I found the discussion to start out too confrontational for my liking. For me the experience was much better at some of the lesser known and less touristy sites. Even better on weekdays during the off season. Less "brass" to deal with.

If the site has an honesty box for admission... be generous.

 

[RobC]

They are only trained to know what a Tripod is. Anyone with a Tripod is considered a professional photographer seeking to make money from their images.

Its laughable really. These compact system cameras with image stabilisation can take stunning images without a tripod but they wouldn't know about that sort of thing..

 

[BrianShaw]

What's laughable is the discussion I had once in Heathrow with some sort of police-like authority. He and his partner wanted to know what the "aerial" is that I was carrying. It was a monopod. They remained puzzled at the explanation so I took out my TLR and mounted it. Their puzzled look remained and finally one of them asked the question, "If it is a one-legged camera support, then what keeps the camera from falling over?" The simply could not fathom the concept and eventually got bored with the discussion and let me proceed through customs.

 

[Alex Muir]

I know that there are National Trust properties in Scotland, but the majority of castles and similar sites appear to be managed by Historic Scotland. They are a very friendly and efficient organisation who actively encourage photography with regular competitions. I haven't encountered any tripod issues at their properties.
Alex

 

[RobC]

I'm thinking a Sony Alpha 7 II would be a good stealth camera for National Trust properties. They'll see the word Sony blazoned across the front of it and think its a little point and shoot.